You are here

First Year Experience Program

The College Mission Statement

Tougaloo College is a private, historically black, liberal arts institution, “accessible to all persons regardless of race, ethnic origin, religion or creed”. The college prepares students to be imaginative, self-directed, lifelong learners and mindful thinkers, committed to leadership and service in a global society by offering a high quality liberal studies program.

First-Year Experience Mission Statement

The Du Bois Scholars First-Year Seminar (FYS) for the First- Year Experience Program, takes proactive steps in providing services needed and required for the future. First-Year Experience Program, a unique program for first-year students at Tougaloo College, offers a wide range of educational experiences designed to assist students in making an smooth transition from high school to college. These seminars orient first-year students into the academic and social environments, connecting them to the character, legacy and spirit of the college, and supporting first-year, first-time student needs during their transitional semester at Tougaloo College.

Transfer students who have completed seminar two comparable seminar courses at a prior institution of those that transer with 30 or more credit hours are exempt from the Du Bois Scholars First-Year Seminar, but will need to begin with seminars for entry-level hours. Students who have completed one seminar course at a prior institution will take the second FYS course at Tougaloo College. Faculty serves as academic advisors, mentors and instructors to ensure academic success to promote positive thinking...

Important Resources

Important Resources help you to transition comfortably into college life. You are now "On Your Own" for many things, but you are never alone at Tougaloo College.

First, you have your First-Year Experience Professor. Your First-Year Experience Professor is an invaluable resource, advisor and instructor. For many of your day-to-day academic problems and not-so-academic problems, your First-Year Experience Professor can steer you in the right direction. Get to know that person and allow that person to know you. Your success in a rigorous environment depends on it.

Second, you have your Reading/Study Skills Professor. Your R/SS professor will work with you diligently, as you acquire the skills needed for rigorous academic work. Not only do you receive classroom work, but you participate in a one-hour lab reinforcement session.

Third, you have your professor for the other courses you will be taking. Your first responsibility is to make certain that professor knows your name. Your second responsibility is to make certain you ask questions, if you do not completely understand. Your third responsibility is to ask for a tutor or form a study group, before you get behind in the course. Your fourth responsibility is to use all available resources, manage your time, put your courses first and get your money's worth by being persistent about your learning.

Fourth, you have Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Center for Student Advising and Retention/One Stop Services. Get to know all of the valuable services they provide to help you toward your successful matriculation here at Tougaloo College.